<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1999
<CASH>                                           4,134
<SECURITIES>                                    53,056<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                  484,902
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                  1,596,695
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,520,161
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                        473,802<F2>
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        47,913
<OTHER-SE>                                     606,134
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,520,161
<SALES>                                      1,529,732
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,556,413
<CGS>                                        1,248,519
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,256,085<F3>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               209,700<F4>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,026
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 68,861
<INCOME-TAX>                                    24,100
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             44,761
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    44,761
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.97
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.94
<FN>
<F1>Marketable securities are comprised of first mortgages and mortgage-backed
securities which are held for long-term investment. The mortgage-backed
securities serve as collateral for related collateralized mortgage obligations.
<F2>Bonds are comprised of senior and senior subordinated notes and collateralized
mortgage obligations.
<F3>Total Costs include interest expense on the collateralized mortgage
obligations, as the associated interest income generated from the
mortgage-backed securities is included in Total Revenues.
<F4>Other Expenses are comprised of selling, general and administrative expenses.
</FN>